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DeWine wants students back in classrooms by March 1. Will vaccines happen fast enough?

February 16, 2021

Susan Tebben, Ohio Capital Journal |

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s leadership and union officials received their shots last week in what they see as a show of confidence in the vaccine the state is trying to get in the arms of school personnel statewide in less than a month.

“We’re definitely encouraging everyone to get it and we’re trying to lead by example,” said Shari Obrenski, president of the Cleveland Teachers Union, among those that received the vaccine.

But they were one of three schools chastised by Gov. Mike DeWine in a sudden Friday evening press conference that focused mainly on reminding schools of the promise they made about reopening, in order to receive vaccinations.

CDC issues detailed strategy for safely reopening K-12 schools

February 14, 2021

Ariana Figueroa, Ohio Capital Journal |

WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday released updated guidance to provide educators a science-based plan for reopening K-12 schools.

The agency said it cannot force schools to reopen but can only stress that steps such as wearing masks and physical distancing of at least six feet are key to mitigating the spread of coronavirus.

Children wearing protective face masks sit in a classroom. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

Ohio school COVID-19 cases remain level, stay under 4,000 for third straight week

February 5, 2021

Ben Orner, WCMH |

The Ohio Department of Health on Thursday reported 3,356 new cases of COVID-19 among students and staff at Ohio’s K-12 schools, bringing the total this school year to 55,264. Thursday’s data reflects the week ending last Sunday, Jan. 31, and cases include those contracted inside and outside school.

Read “Ohio school COVID-19 cases remain level, stay under 4,000 for third straight week” at NBC4i

4 weeks of vaccinations for Ohio schools

January 30, 2021

The vaccine distribution schedule for Ohio schools is expected to last four weeks. Butler Co schools are in week 1, Hamilton, Adam, and Brown county schools are in week 2 beginning Feb 8th, Warren Co is in week 3, and Clermont, Clinton, and Highland counties are in week 4 of vaccinations.

Patient receives Covid-19 vaccine shot
Photo credit: Steven Cornfield

‘We’re Not Controlling It in Our Schools’: Covid Safety Lapses Abound Across US

January 27, 2021

Laura Ungar, Kaiser Health News |

A KHN analysis of federal and state Occupational Safety and Health Administration data found more than 780 COVID-19-related complaints covering more than 2,000 public and private K-12 schools. 

Read “Sick kids in class, teachers punished for speaking out: Over 780 COVID-19 complaints reveal schools ignoring safety” at USA Today

Scarce COVID-19 vaccines mean Ohio teachers won’t have same shot at first dose

January 27, 2021

Jessie Balmert, Randy Ludlow, Cincinnati Enquirer |

Because of a scarcity of vaccines, the state’s 334,000 school teachers and staff will receive initial doses in stages. Cincinnati Public Schools will go first, starting on Thursday. About 91,000 school employees will be eligible to receive the vaccine next week. 

Education Pick Miguel Cardona On Biden’s Promise To Reopen Schools

January 26, 2021

Cory Turner, Eda Uzunlar, WOSU |

With many U.S. schools still shuttered or operating on a limited basis, and millions of children learning remotely (or trying to), the stakes are high for Miguel Cardona. He is President Biden’s pick to run the U.S. Department of Education, and if confirmed, he’ll be charged with making good on Biden’s promise to re-open most K-12 schools during the new administration’s first 100 days.

Read “Education Pick Miguel Cardona On Biden’s Promise To Reopen Schools” at WOSU

Prior to COVID-19, states cut $600B in ed funding since Great Recession

January 19, 2021

Roger Riddell, K-12 Dive |

A pair of reports released Thursday by the Education Law Center — “Making the Grade 2020” and “$600 Billion Lost: State Disinvestment in Education Following the Great Recession” — add deeper context to the financial turmoil facing the nation’s public schools and further highlight the adverse impact states’ education funding cuts were already having prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read “Prior to COVID-19, states cut $600B in ed funding since Great Recession” at K-12 Dive

Nearly a Year Into Remote Learning ‘Digital Divide’ Persists as Key Educational Threat, as Census Data Show 1 in 3 Households Still Struggling With Limited Tech Access

January 14, 2021

Brendan Lowe, The 74 |

According to a report released last month by UCLA, nearly one in three American households had limited computer or internet access this fall, more than half a year after the pandemic erupted. The report, which is based on a weekly survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, sheds new light on an old problem.

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